Those of us with long hair or even medium length hair are always on the look out for new and easy ways to create updos or half updos. We want our hair to look professionally styled without the cost or the hassle.

My recent find is called The Clever Clip. It is a plastic clip that effectively holds your hair in a twist or french roll type style all day long. With this little clip, you can have an updo in minutes.

The design of the Clever Clip is deceptively simple. It looks similar to a plastic bobby pin with a hook on the end. At first blush I thought it was much too simplistic to do an effective job of holding my hair.

The package told me that it would hold the thickest, curliest or the thinnest of hair and it comes with a money back guarentee.

My hair is thick and naturally curly. I first tried The Clever Clip while wearing my hair in its curly state. This makes it feel much thicker than when it is straight. I pulled my hair back into a pony tail, held with my hand. Then I twisted the pony tail into a roll and inserted The Clever Clip. I found it difficult to close the Clip at first. When I managed to close it, it held my hair firmly.

My next experience with The Clever Clip was on my straight hair. I found it easier, not only to control my hair but to close the Clip. Once again, it held my hair firmly – and without the use of hairspray.

To get an idea of how The Clever Clip would work on thin hair, I pulled just the top up into a twist and secured it. Surprisingly, the half updo held as well. Once again, it held without hair spray.

I have mastered the simple twist using The Clever Clip. I have used it both with my hair twisted with the ends up and with the ends extending out of the bottom of the twist. These are quick and easy styles to do. My hair remained smooth and in place for as long as I wanted it to. I have not mastered some of the more creative styles shown on the website but I plan to keep trying.

So far, my half-updos look dressier and more 'styled' than the full twist, which looks a little plain.

The Clip itself is small enough to almost disappear into the hair style. This is great because it will not clash with clothing styles or personal style, To dress up The Clever Clip, an assortment of beaded dangles, called Tattle Tails are available. They hang on the clip as a simple accessory.

I like this little tool and I’m sure it will come in handy for the days when I want a quick and simple updo.